Book Review: Sniff the Detective by Richard Scarry

Sniff is a detective.
He helps people find things.
He helps catch bad people.
He thinks with his head.
And he smells with his nose.

Every now and then I like stepping outside my reading comfort zone. That's how I ended up reading Sniff the Detective (Golden Books, 1988), a delightful children's mystery by the late American author and illustrator Richard Scarry. It was my first children's detective story in middle age, and I enjoyed it far more than I expected.

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The illustrated book contains two stories—Sniff Catches the Robber and Sniff's Best Case Ever—set in a world of anthropomorphic animals who talk, work and solve crimes just like humans. They're impossible not to like.

In the first story, Chief Hound asks Sniff to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Mrs. Jewel's precious bracelets. Since the elderly pig has neither left her home nor received any visitors, Sniff spends the night there, hoping to catch the thief in the act.

The second story begins on a rainy day with Sniff happily staying in bed until duty calls from another city. It's almost his birthday and he'd rather be home eating cake and ice cream, but detectives don't always get holidays. His train journey introduces a few suspicious-looking passengers carrying violins and wearing dark glasses, making for an entertaining mystery.

The stories are simple, funny and gently suspenseful, while Richard Scarry's colourful illustrations and large typeface make the book ideal for reading aloud to young children. I especially liked Sniff's approach to detective work. He relies on observation, common sense and, naturally, an excellent nose.

Children's mystery, YA mystery or adult crime fiction—a good detective story is still a good detective story. You're never too young or too old to enjoy one.

Note: Writer-blogger Patti Abbott is hosting Friday's Forgotten Books over at her eclectic blog Pattinase, where you will read some fine reviews of forgotten or overlooked books.